§ Mr. TimmsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which other reviews have been set up as part of the comprehensive spending review since the Chief Secretary?s answer on 24 July; and if he will make the terms of reference available. [14157]
§ Mr. DarlingFive further reviews have been set up. They are departmental spending reviews of the Crown Office (Scotland) and the Northern Ireland criminal justice system and cross-departmental reviews of the intelligence agencies, provision for young children and illegal drugs. The terms of reference have been placed in the Library today.
The collected set of terms of reference also includes a correct copy of those for the review of the criminal justice system. I regret that an incorrect early draft of the terms of reference was mistakenly included in the set deposited in the Library on 24 July. The changes are highlighted in italics.
These additional reviews underline the commitment of the Government to look at all items of public spending and produce spending plans for the long term. In particular, the cross-departmental reviews announced today further reinforce the commitment to a truly comprehensive review throughout all parts of government and across traditional departmental boundaries.